Man stopped after hit-and-run crashes, deputy pursuit

Deputies: Driver has serious medical issues

A man chased by deputies at high speeds in Clay County on Monday afternoon following reports of two hit-and-run crashes was a 75-year-old with serious medical issues, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said they responded about 2 p.m. to reports of a reckless driver in Clay County. They said a driver in a four-door vehicle led deputies on a brief pursuit following a hit-and-run crash on County Road 220 in Fleming Island and another hit-and-run crash reported shortly afterwards near Blanding Boulevard and Bear Run in Middleburg.

The man was driving erratically and at high speeds in various locations, including on County Road 209 North, Knightboxx Road and Blanding Boulevard, deputies said.

Deputies were able to deploy a Stop Stick to flatten the car's tires and then were able to force the man to stop at College and Peoria avenues in Orange Park.

While not injured while committing the two hit-and-runs or during his capture, the man's existing medical condition was such that responding deputies determined it was better to allow him to be hospitalized at Orange Park Medical Center for treatment, investigators said. They said due to HIPPA regulations, they cannot be more specific about his medical condition or how it may have affected his driving behavior.

The investigation into the crashes he caused, his reckless driving and his eluding arrest remains active and he faces serious charges, deputies said. They said they are not releasing his name at this time because he is not under arrest.

The drivers and passengers of the two cars the man hit were not injured, deputies said. However, minor damage was done to their vehicles, to the suspect's vehicle and to responding Clay County deputy vehicles that had to force him to stop, investigators said.

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